The ablity to dump the whole range of gears is great. Lighting up the bars helps with steering control, and elimating bar clutter is great. What I mean is that there are no shifters and levers to get in the way. Still I feel that this shifter is one of the major contributers to the ghost shifting on this bike. The one thing I can not tolarate is Ghost shifting. This is a potential dangerous situation when climbing or leaning into a turn. I think that when you apply pressure while swaying the bike or leaning it activates the shiftr causing ghost shifting. If you want me to get angry in about two to four miles into a ride put me on a bike that ghost shifts. Also I don't like the idea of having to move my hand on the bars to shift just another way to wipe out. I like some of the advantages of this shifter but the disadvantages greatly out weigh the advantages. I think this is a good shifter for the casual Mt. Biker but for someone who wants to go to the next level stay with the good old thumb shifters. I feel that the problems that the twist shifters contribute to are not worth the hastle. You also lose a certain feel with this type of shifting this is just my option though PEACE!

Strengths: You don't have to take the shifter apart to change cables. Looks cool. Shifts perfectly.

Weaknesses: I had halfpipe shifters and I just took a hacksaw to them and it's great now. Works just as good. Some of the grips can be annoying but I removed that part with a knife and it's very comfortable now.

Bottom Line:

If you gave this product bad reviews then you didn't do something right. It works with surgic precision.

Strengths: very sure shifting, easy to index when tuning up, EASY to pull maintenace on, EASY to remove or install. I think SRAM has the SCAM with 9.0, I've heard people who know both systems say 7.0 is the work horse.

Weaknesses: none for the price, but this is a system(shifter/dr) which unfortunately means if dr goes - shifter goes too. Use high end cables with this one and keep an eye on the dr hanger.

Bottom Line:

This system was OEM on my V-Link and was a definite factor in that purchase. It worked well and looked good too. I have now owned three sets. My original dr was demolished by a 1.5x 12 section of tree limb in July (composite construction). It broke cleanly and no other components were made to suffer. This system is nice if used with GORE Ride-On cables. The shifting is very precise. I have it this way on my stock trials bike(why not my XC?) which I do ride on some sections of local trails. The front dr allows half clicks and that works out nice if chain rub does start or in my case if only using two chain rings and a bashring. If you have the rear indexed ANY change in the dr hanger will cause the thing to go off on you(like having to bracket around the gear you want or not get it at all) . That holds true for any system but lately I've discovered how easliy the hanger can get out line, this for the single chili dog guy. Install 'em per SRAM advice and use Ride-On cables and you will get a good system at a very nice price! I do not give out 5, so its 4 alone and sweet with GORE. I wish SRAM would consider a kind of road/atb hybrid for Stock Trials bikes(shorter cage at least).

I thought I would like these shifters for their simplicity. However, even tough they work greast in the front, they have been awful for the rear derailleur (yeas also a 7.0). Upshifting is fine but downshifting just doesn't happen. You always have to shift 2 geras and come back. I checked everything and I don't get it. Maybe I hot one made on a monday morning. Honestly, I would prefer even a shimano Alivio at this point. I race road bikes but would never consider racing a mountain bike event with my shifters. They must be defective because even my 500ex back then was better. So one hot pepper for the front shifter.

I have Grip Shift SRT 600 but they arent on this site yet. They work awesome. They hardly need any maintanance and are great shifters. In Mud or dry conditions they work great

Overall Rating:

Submitted by
JAMES
a weekend warrior
from Issaquah

Date Reviewed: August 21, 1998

Bottom Line:

these shifters have crisp shift and are not that expensive. If you also have the rear derailuer the work even better. i can tell there no xt or xtr but they work well. I got them on my trek 930 about 5 months ago and was suprised about how well they worked